Because the charter does not address procedures for when a runoff candidate withdraws, the charter points to the Texas Election Code.

State law says the remaining candidate, Polasek, is considered the winner, and the runoff is not held.

Omar Rachid, who took the third most votes in the May 11 election, clung to the idea that the runoff should continue so the office is held by a majority vote-getter. He wanted Armstrong to be forced back in an election against Polasek.

"I don't want to be in the runoff," Rachid said. "The city charter says somebody must be elected by a majority. ... The runoff must be between Mr. Polasek and Mr. Armstrong."

Rachid said he would file a complaint with the secretary of state if the city does not address the election.

Elections Administrator George Matthews said, "You cannot look at one city charter item and apply it to the entire process."

The charter does not address the mayor withdrawing from the runoff. However, the Texas Election Code does.

Victoria County Criminal District Attorney Steve Tyler said, "The only thing more absurd is the opposite."

If candidates were not given an opportunity to withdraw, you could have "indentured candidates" forced to run against their will.